As National Work and Family Month drew to a close this time last year, working families were hopeful that the upcoming election would mean that the economy would turn around, families would regain control of their finances and economic security, and the country would finally get back on track after a crippling recession.

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With the recent decisions in Wal-Mart v. Dukes and AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion, the Supreme Court weakened the ability of individuals to band together in class action lawsuits to challenge corporate misconduct.

For working families today, paid sick days can mean the difference between staying afloat and being unable to afford basic expenses like food and transportation - and this lifeline comes at minimal or no cost to businesses.

As we near the end of LGBT Health Awareness Week — a time to focus on eliminating the health disparities and health care discrimination faced by the LGBT community — we cannot forget the role that access to health care plays in promoting the health and well-being of LGBT workers and their families.

Our country needs more adequate, reasonable and flexible sick leave policies. Tens of millions of workers in this country don't have a single paid sick day. Many of those who do can't use them to meet their family's health needs. As a result, kids and their parents are forced to go to school or work sick, contagion spreads, and public health suffers.

Throughout the long, hot summer — despite the veto-proof majority in the New York City Council, despite the endless terrible experiences of workers who've been forced to work sick, despite the loads of testimony in favor of the Paid Sick Time Act — New York's proposed paid sick days law has remained in limbo.

From the desk of ...

In my job, I get to explain the entire narrative of paid sick days to our nation's lawmakers and their staff. It's a rather simple task because most people intuitively get it — and often they have an experience to share.